Plans to convert Britain’s oldest surviving hospital building have been deferred.

Medway Council's planning committee met yesterday to discuss the plans to redevelop St Bartholomew's Hospital in Rochester, leaving much of it intact.

Some 155 homes, ranging from one-bedroom and two bedrooms to three-bedroom houses, are earmarked at the location in New Road overlooking the River Medway and Victoria Gardens.

Most would be conversions in the main block and the remainder new builds.

Manchester and London-based company MCR Property Group bought the site from NHS Property and plans were officially unveiled in November last year.

Listed building consent was sought for the site, which includes a Grade II-listed mortuary and waterworks.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the developer's Section 106 contributions, which refer to a series of private agreements between local authorities and developers which are attached to planning permission.

These could include land restrictions or sums which need to be paid to the authority.

Cllr Stuart Tranter (Con), vice chairman of the committee, wanted to see if the level of contributions to offset the potential impact on the community were at the correct level.

He said: "We are not saying it will be turned down but it's such an important development that we needed that more detail and at the same time, we were questioning of the quality of the one-bedroom apartments so there are a few questions to be put back for officers and it will be considered next time."

St Bart’s, as it is known locally, was founded on the existing site in 1078 for the care of the poor and lepers.

Before it closed in September 2016, it was Britain’s oldest surviving hospital.

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